One of the most breathtaking landmarks in Ecuador is the Quilotoa Crater Lake in the Ecuadorian Andes. It’s always ironic to me how destructive volcanoes form such beautiful physical features and that’s what I found at Quilotoa. It’s a collapsed volcano with a vivid emerald green and blue color due to the dissolved minerals. At almost 4,000 meters above sea level, the high altitude is something you might have to adjust to and prepare for with carbs and coca leaves.

We met our tour van and departed for this half day adventure of Ecuadorian splendor. Traveling over the shoulder season was a good idea since our tour van wasn’t crowded and there was only one other passenger.

Our guide was hospitable and attentive to our needs, scheduling in bathroom breaks along the way. The drive went by so much quicker than I anticipated mostly because you can’t take your eyes off the landscape!

Getting there from Quito was a fantastic build-up to our day’s excursion. We passed by Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes which also has one of the world’s largest equatorial glaciers. The rolling hills and pastures were dream-like with farmers and llamas descending the patchwork vistas. We stopped at a Sasquisili village which will be featured in another blog. The roadside barbecues of cuy (guinea pig) fascinated us. We dined on cuy in the nice restaurants in Quito but seeing it street -side was unique. A stop at an art gallery was also stimulating. We were exposed to so much beauty and culture on this morning drive to our destination. At the entrance of the grounds, the most darling llama and his owner let us take photos of them. I was in heaven. The hike down the winding road was rigorous and I marveled at the hikers who hiked it back up. It’s a campsite as well as a park. I soon discovered that I was going to choose the option to ride the donkeys back up the mountainous terrain. After an hour approximately of this descent, we gazed at the crater lake and felt the waters which are filled with medicinal minerals. The panorama is quite incredible. Ecaudor gets better and better with each day that you are there.

We waited for our donkey “caravan” to get filled up for the ascent. I’d like to say the entire ride was thrilling but it bothered me to see the donkeys struggle…and be yelled at from their owners. I don’t think I’ll do a donkey ride again (and I’ve done several in the past but I’m more sensitive now). I was impressed with the athletic ability of the older woman who lead her family helpers into this ascent. It was their family business and tips are very important to them, obviously. Be prepared with enough extra bills to cover this.

As convivial as it was with all of the other donkey riders, I was relieved when it was over just because of the chaos involved with the natives on foot directing the donkeys with their commands. We were headed to another incredible Ecuadorian meal at a local restaurant with our tour guides. Every spoonful of that soup or chowder was heavenly. The drive back to Quito was an exit from the country and an entrance back into the bustling Quito. I can still remember  basking in the  the energy  of the sun-filled van ride through the bucolic Ecaudorian countryside. But,as always, the llamas steal the show!

© Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

photos by GIna Kingsley